Group 1 - Wall Street sentiment towards Meta Platforms remains positive, with Baird reaffirming an 'Outperform' rating and slightly lowering the price target to $815 from $820, indicating a potential upside of about 22% from the current price of $663 [1] - Recent market volatility has reset expectations, creating a more balanced environment for investors, with Baird noting that near-term sentiment pressures persist but expectations are now more realistic [2] - Key factors to monitor include guidance on first-quarter margins, progress on the next-generation Llama AI model, and updates related to Meta AI improvements [3] Group 2 - Monetization efforts across WhatsApp and Threads are becoming significant drivers, along with advertising automation expansion through Advantage+ tools, while wearables and custom silicon investments are seen as long-term value sources [4] - The $815 price target is supported by a multi-year discounted cash flow framework and earnings multiples, placing Meta towards the upper end of peer ranges, justified by its market leadership and diversified growth drivers [5] - Wall Street analysts maintain a consensus 'Strong Buy' rating for Meta Platforms, with an average 12-month price target of $828.71, implying roughly 25% upside from the recent price [7][9]
Wall Street analyst updates Meta stock price